A Visit to Alfitaria

[crowned_jewel]

Characters: Garnet, Rydia, Open to those in Alfitaria (I'm lookin' at you, Eiko, Edge, and Rishfee! Also Steiner!)
Progress: On-going
Summary: Garnet finally makes her stop in Alfitaria
Location: Afitaria.
Date: Nov 7, 1804

Comments

[eidolon_soul]

As soon as Rydia heard about the Red Rose docking, she departed the palace with all due haste. Garnet's visit was something she'd been looking forward to for quite some time, and she was eager to give her friend the grand tour. Then, too, she hoped for the chance to spend time with just Dagger and not the Queen of Alexandria. The goodwill tour would force her to be Garnet for some of it, but hopefully she could manage some time to be herself as well.

She headed down the street at a quick pace, a bright whirlwind of green and gold. Her mind was focused on heading toward the ship and little else. Spotting Dagger hasn't happened yet, but least Rydia herself was relatively easy to notice?

[crowned_jewel]

Rydia was always easy to spot, and when Garnet saw the blur of green moving quickly through the crowd on the opposite side of the street, she stopped. The hood of her white mage's coak fell to her shoulders as she turned sharply.

"Rydia!" she called out, cupping her hands around her mouth. And then, for good measure, she raised an arm above her head.

[eidolon_soul]

Well, that was a surprise, though it definitely made Rydia's task easier. She grinned immediately upon seeing Garnet wave, resuming her swift pace as she angles over towards her friend, beyond excited that she's finally here. Hug time?

[crowned_jewel]

It was as though Rydia read her mind. As soon as the summoner was within arm's reach, Dagger beamed, throwing her arms around her friend in a firm embrace. It had been far too long since she had set eyes on Rydia, and after all that had been going on, she was just so glad to see her in one piece!

"I'm so happy to see you!" she cried.

[eidolon_soul]

Rydia laughed, hugging her back with enthusiasm. It really had been too long, and she knew that couldn't happen again. Whatever happened, she would make time to visit. After all, her own schedule wasn't usually as hectic.

"It's wonderful to see you again, too! I'm so glad you could visit at last." She pulled back, beaming. "If you haven't seen too much yet, I'd be happy to show you around."

[crowned_jewel]

Dagger shook her head lightly. "I've only just arrived. It's been about an hour, maybe less," she replied, grasping Rydia's hands tightly. It was true, that she had come to consider the other Heads of State as more than simple political allies, but Rydia was different; she, like Zidane, like Freya, Vivi, Eiko... they all knew her as more than the Queen of Alexandria. Her mind swirled with thoughts, or relief, that this girl understood her in ways few others did. Their shared heritage had been an instant bonding point...

Dagger wilted slightly. It had been something that tied them together, but even now, over a month after her revival, the Eidolons remained silent.

"...Where's your favorite place in the city?" she asked, lifting her smile again.

[eidolon_soul]

Rydia noticed the sight wilting, but she wasn't about to prod, not here and not now. Maybe later, when they had more privacy, though. Her answer came quickly enough. "The Queen's Garden, without a doubt. If you haven't been there, we have to change that immediately. It's the most beautiful place in the area, and the best welcome to Alfitaria that I can think of."

[crowned_jewel]

"That sounds wonderful. Lead the way then!" said Dagger, falling into step beside Rydia. "I think of all the places I have seen so far, this one is the most fantastic! In a way, it reminds me of so many things that felt native to Gaia... but even still, there's so much else that's different."

So many different people they passed on the street... not all 'sky people', yet they must have been, for they weren't native to Gaia. Selkies and lilties, which she'd heard of but never seen, and a few natives of Gaia mixed in. "I truly do feel as though I've stepped into another world, here."

[eidolon_soul]

Rydia headed for the nearest shuttle station, since they would need one to reach the front area of the city from their current location. "It's pretty different from my own, too. We don't have anything quite like this at home; it does remind me of Lindblum a bit with the shuttles, but this city has a flavor all its own."

She chuckled, glancing over to Dagger. "I think Eiko enjoys the fact that she's not considered that short around here, not compared to all the lilties around. Regent Cid is letting me keep her a little while longer, and the break from home seems to be doing her some good."

[crowned_jewel]

The shuttles did remind her a bit of Lindblum's aircabs. Was Alfitaria really that big? Well, it did look sizable from the deck of the Red Rose.

Dagger smiled. "I'm glad to hear she's doing well. I've been worried about her, since Cid was born. I never had any siblings growing up... so I think I can't really understand how it must be for her right now. Maybe it will be better, once he's a little older. I know Uncle Cid and Aunt Hilda have never had to take care of a baby before... it's new territory for all of them."

[eidolon_soul]

"I can only imagine, too. I never had siblings either...well, I count Edward as one, but we didn't grow up together, so that's not the same thing. They'll figure it out in time, I'm sure, but it's been fun having her stay with us."

Rydia paused once they reach the terminal, peering around for then next shuttle. At first, she didn't see its approach on the horizon, then relaxes. "The city seems big, but it's really not that difficult to get around. The shuttles are very fast and there's a lot of them. I suppose I could be lazy and warp us, but then you'd miss out on the sights along the way."

[crowned_jewel]

Warp them? Dagger hadn't had the faintest idea that Rydia possessed such a skill. Now that she had mentioned it though, the very thought of warping anywhere made her stomach turn.

"No, you're right, it's more fun to look at the scenery, after all," she said with a smile, as the shuttle came to a stop, and they boarded, along with a handful of other passengers. Upon finding a seat, Dagger settled herself in with a heavy sigh.

[eidolon_soul]

Rydia joined her, settling in as a group of Lilty boarded after them. She gestures to the window as they take off again, peering outward. "That's why I take the shuttle most of the time, anyway. The view is spectacular. See that large green area along the city's edge? That's where we're going."

[crowned_jewel]

At Rydia's prompt, Dagger sat up a little, and leaned to get a better look out the window. Sure enough, there was a large expanse of green that could only have meant that something was growing out there. She smiled, reminded for a moment of the rose gardens back home. Of course, the roses were far out of season now, but the comparison remained strong in her mind.

"You said it was called the Queen's Garden, right? ... do you know why? I mean... there isn't a proper queen of Alfitaria on Gaia right now, or else I'd just ask..."

[eidolon_soul]

"Well, there's supposed to be, but from what I understand, it's not named for the Queen that ought to be here. It's named for her mother. The garden was set up in her time, and there used to be a statue of her as well, but it was taken down after she died." Rydia shrugged, not knowing the full story but doubtless someone could tell them. "Either way, it's one of the most popular places in the city. I visit pretty often, whenever there's a chance."

[crowned_jewel]

"I see..." Dagger whispered, as she continued to gaze out the window. She lapsed into thoughtful silence for a long moment.

"Rydia... I... I don't want to seem nosy but I was wondering. Did you..." she swallowed, her fingers curling into her palm, "Did you ever... speak to Ramuh?"